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A highly competent book editor is like gold dust.
Such an individual is skilled in ensuring your book flows seamlessly, and will be able to pick out gaps, inconsistencies and errors that you alone would not be able to, not to mention ensuring your manuscript is grammatically correct and free of punctuation errors.
If you’re a UK-based novelist, short story writer, or a nonfiction writer looking for editing support, one the following 21 top freelance book editors in the UK might be able to help.
1. Britt Collins
Living in London, UK, Britt Collins is a freelancer, journalist, and author with a B.A. in Comparative Literature. During her 25 years of activity, she has collaborated with publishers such as Penguin Books and has written an international bestseller. “Living on the Edge”, by John Bye, and “Podiatrist on a Mission”, by David Tollafield are just two of the titles Britt has worked on as an editor. She can provide developmental editing, proofreading, editorial assessment, copy editing, and query letter review. In terms of genres, fiction and non-fiction are her main interests. To learn more and to request a quote, click here.
2. Richard Arcus
With over 10 years of editing experience, Richard Arcus is a London-based freelancer whose portfolio includes “Out of Thin Air”, by Anthony Adeane, and “A Different Drummer”, by William Melvin Kelley. He can provide copy editing, developmental editing, proofreading, query letter review, and editorial assessment. Richard takes on both fiction and nonfiction projects – entertainment, mystery & crime, and thriller & suspense are some of his favorite genres. Since he has an informal, friendly approach, he surely finds it very easy to communicate with his clients. If you’d like to request a quote, feel free to access this page.
3. Laura Joyce
Laura Joyce is based in Sheffield, UK, and is a freelance book editor with a passion for mystery & crime, true crime, and psychological thrillers. With an M.A. in Creative Writing and a PhD in Critical and Creative Writing, she is also an author that can easily understand the needs of her fellow writers. Laura can provide copy editing, developmental editing, proofreading, and editorial assessment. To learn more about her past projects, you should check out “The Man on the Street”, by Trevor Wood, and “Exit Management”, by Naomi Booth. Quotes can be requested here.
4. Martha Sprackland
Specializing in developmental editing, copy editing, proofreading, and editorial assessment, Martha Sprackland is a freelance editor based in London, UK. In her over 12 years of experience, she has collaborated with publishers such as Pan Macmillan, Persephone Books, and Peninsula Press. In terms of genres, she prefers literary fiction, short story, poetry, and biography & memoir. “The Half-God of Rainfall”, by Inua Ellams, and “Who Is Mary Sue?”, by Sophie Collins are two titles that might help you get an idea of her editing skills. To request a quote, click here.
5. Rebecca Millar
Living in London, Rebecca Millar is a freelance editor whose client list includes HarperCollins UK and Penguin Random House UK. In terms of studies, she has a B.A. in English from University of Bristol and certifications in Copy editing and Proofreading from the Publishing Training Centre. Developmental editing, proofreading, copy editing, editorial assessment, and query letter review are the services she can provide. Although Rebecca specializes in thrillers, suspense, and crime, she also takes on espionage and women’s fiction projects. To learn more about her portfolio, look up “The Nanny”, by Gilly Macmillan, and “Crescent”, by Alex Mawson. Quotes can be requested here.
6. Sarah Khan
Sarah Khan is an author and freelance editor based in Cheltenham, UK. With around 20 years of experience in the publishing field, she started her career at Usborne Publishing. Her specialties are fiction and nonfiction children’s books, personal essays, and cookbooks– to get an idea of her past projects, check out “Little Book of Cats and Kittens”, by Howard Hughes. In terms of services, Sarah provides proofreading, editorial assessment, developmental editing, and copy editing. If you want to learn more about her and to request a quote, click here.
7. Nicola Lovick
With an editing experience of around 20 years, Nicola Lovick is a London-based freelancer whose genres of choice include historical fiction, women’s fiction, cooking, wine & spirits, and paranormal romance. Presently collaborating with publishers such as BBC Books and Penguin Random House, two of the titles you will find in her portfolio are “Have You Been Good?”, by Vanessa Nicolson, and “The End of October”, by Lawrence Wright. Nicola can provide query letter review, editorial assessment, developmental editing, proofreading, and copy editing. To request a quote, click here.
8. Elizabeth Ward
A London-based freelance editor with an M.A. in English Literature, Elizabeth Ward provides query letter review, developmental editing, copy editing, editorial assessment, and proofreading. Interested in both fiction and nonfiction, some of her favorite genres are thriller & suspense, mystery & crime, and biography & memoir. As she has more than 14 years of work experience, her portfolio includes numerous titles, such as “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse”, by Charlie Mackesy, and “The Rabbi’s Daughter”, by Reva Mann. To learn more about Elizabeth, click here.
9. Noo Saro-Wiwa
A freelance editor, journalist, and author, Noo Saro-Wiwa is based in London, UK. In her 16 years of experience, she has earned the Travel Book of the Year Award from Sunday Times and Italy’s Albatros Travel Literature Prize. Noo’s favorite genres are historical fiction, LGBTQ+ fiction, political science & current affairs, romance, and sociology, to give some examples. In terms of services, she can provide developmental editing, query letter review, proofreading, copy editing, and editorial assessment. “The Rough Guide to West Africa”, by Richard Trillo, and “New Daughters of Africa”, by Margaret Busby are just two of the titles in her portfolio. To find out more about Noo and to request a quote, click here.
10. Clem Flanagan
With an MLitt in Publishing Studies and a B.A. in Creative Writing & English Literature, Clem Flanagan is a Stirling-based freelance editor who is passionate about fiction. Although she also edits nonfiction books, she prefers commercial fiction, middle grade fantasy, and YA fantasy, to give some examples. Her specialties are editorial assessment, proofreading, developmental editing, copy editing, and query letter review. To become familiar with her portfolio, check out “Outside Verdun”, by Arnold Zweig, and “First Time Solo”, by Iain Maloney. If you’d like to request a quote, you can do so here.
11. Kirsten Murray
Living in Aberdeen, Scotland, Kirsten Murray is a freelance editor with an M.A. in English Literature & History and an MLitt in Comic Studies. Passionate about both fiction and nonfiction, some of her genres of choice are action & adventure, middle grade, and entertainment. Kirsten can provide proofreading, editorial assessment, developmental editing, and copy editing. To learn more about her portfolio, you should look up “Commando #5133: The Home Front”, by Shane Filer, and “the Light”, by Jim Alexander. Quotes can be requested here.
12. Mayada Ibrahim
Mayada Ibrahim is a London-based freelance editor who started her journey in the publishing field at the Bloomsbury Publishing Qatar Foundation. In terms of genres, she takes on projects which fit the standards of literary fiction, biography & memoir, art, and short stories. A few titles you will find in her portfolio are “The Hidden Light of Objects”, by Mai Al-Nakib, and “The Bamboo Stalk”, by Saud Alsanousi. If you find Mayada suitable for your book project, you should know that she can provide copy editing, proofreading, developmental editing, and editorial assessment. You can learn more here.
13. Nick Hodgson
Based in Brighton, UK, Nick Hodgson is a freelance editor who can provide developmental editing, copy editing, proofreading, and editorial assessment. In his 15 years of work experience, he has developed a particular interest in fiction, so urban fantasy, espionage, and action & adventure are at the top of his list. To become familiar with his previous projects, you should look up “Read This if You Want to Be a Great Writer”, by Ross Raisin, and “Brutal Angels”, by Gordon Gustafson. Quotes and additional information can be requested here.
14. Michelle Griffin
Michelle Griffin is a Belfast-based freelancer who started her editing career at Brehon Press. She has several certifications from Publishing Training Centre (London), and around 17 years of experience in the publishing field. In terms of services, she can provide editorial assessment, proofreading, developmental editing, and copy editing. Interested in both fiction and nonfiction, some of her favorite genres are urban fantasy, biography & memoir, women’s fiction, and history. “The Pen Friend”, by Ciaran Carson, and “The Ulster Anthology”, by Patricia Craig are just two of the titles in her portfolio. To learn more about Michelle and to request a quote, click here.
15. Sarah Busby
A freelance editor, Sarah Busby lives in Falmouth, UK. During her 14 years of experience in the publishing field, she has worked with clients such as HarperCollins, Pearson Education, and the Royal Institute of British Architects. Her specialty is nonfiction, so she is mostly interested in law, career guides, design, psychology, and life sciences, to give some examples. In terms of services, Sarah can provide proofreading, developmental editing, copy editing, query letter review, and editorial assessment. If you’re curious about her past projects, check out “Mind Growing”, by Marc Vanschoenwinkel, and “The Library Marketing Toolkit”, by Ned Potter. To request a quote, click here.
16. Bethn Kyle
Living in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Bethn Kyle is a freelance editor with a B.A. in English Literature and an MSc in Publishing. Interested in both fiction and nonfiction, some of the genres on her list are humor & comedy, middle grade, Christian nonfiction, and fantasy. In terms of services, she can provide copy editing, proofreading, and editorial assessment. If you’d like to see some of her previous projects, look up “A Diamond of Dust”, by Anato Swu, and “Jewels of Jabbok”, by Joanne Peden. To learn more about Bethn and to request a quote, click here.
17. Paul Nash
With a Secondary PGCE in English from University College Worcester and a B.A. in English from University of Wales, Paul Nash is Bristol-based freelancer who started his publishing career around 20 years ago. Since he specializes in nonfiction, psychology, education & reference, philosophy, and law are some of his favorite genres. Paul can provide copy editing, developmental editing, proofreading, and editorial assessment, and has over 50 titles in his portfolio. “How Nations Innovate”, by Jingjing Huo, and “Europe’s Border Crisis”, by Nick Vaughan-Williams are some of the most interesting books he has worked on. Quotes can be requested here.
18. Laura Kincaid
Owner of Ten Thousand | Editing + Book Design, Laura Kincaid is based in Edinburgh, Scotland. As she specializes in fiction, the projects she takes on fit the standards of mystery & crime, thriller & suspense, fantasy, YA, and romance, to give some examples. After more than 10 years of work experience, Laura can provide both copy writing and proofreading. “A Bad Boy Stole My Bra”, by Lauren Price, and “The Gravity of Love”, by Noelle Harrison are just two of the countless titles she features in her portfolio. To learn more about her and to request a quote, click here.
19. Henry Bell
Living in Glasgow, Scotland, Henry Bell is an experienced freelance editor and author with a First Class degree in Theology and Literature. He can provide indexing, proofreading, developmental editing, copy editing, and editorial assessment. Passionate about both fiction and nonfiction, some of his genres of choice are poetry, biography & memoir, history, and historical fiction. If you’re curious about Henry’s portfolio, you should check out “Fugitive Colours”, by Liz Lochhead, and “Tonguit”, by Harry Giles. To request a quote, access this page.
20. Emma Baird
A writer and freelance editor with a diverse work experience, Emma Baird is based in Glasgow, Scotland. In terms of book genres, she prefers self-help & self-improvement, literary fiction, romance, humor & comedy, and YA, to give some examples. “Can’t…Can!: How You CAN Get Motivated In Minutes”, by Bill Calhoun, and “Weekender”, by Roland Tye are just two of the titles in her portfolio. If you’re thinking about collaborating with Emma, keep in mind that she can provide developmental editing, editorial assessment, proofreading, and copy editing. Quotes can be requested here.
21. Bethany Wright
A Norwich-based freelance editor, Bethany Wright has around 6 years of experience in the publishing field. In terms of studies, she has a certification from the Publishing Training Centre and an M.A. in Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia. Bethany can provide developmental editing, copy editing, proofreading, and editorial assessment. She enjoys both fiction and nonfiction books, especially history, science fiction, and biography & memoir, to name a few genres. Her portfolio includes “Herbarium”, by Caz Hildebrand, and “Symbols in Art”, by Matthew Wilson. If you want to request a quote, click here.
Are you a freelance book editor in the UK? Please tell us about your novel editing services in the comments box below.
A 22 year old writer from India, Meera Nair has been blogging for over 5 years. She has a triple major Bachelor’s degree in Media, English and Psychology from Christ University Bangalore. She regularly reviews books for publishers like Bloomsbury, Pan Macmillan, Penguin etc. Reading and writing are two of her utmost passions and she is glad to have the opportunity to share that love with others.